§ 23. Mr. BASIL PETOasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the efforts of his Department on behalf of the officers of the s.s. "Edith Cavell," who were arrested and imprisoned by the French authorities at S. Laurent, in French Guiana, have been successful; and whether he will make representations to the French Government that compensation he paid to these men for the unmerited hardships they have endured by 908 reason of their six weeks' imprisonment and three months' detention?
Mr. SAMUELI am glad to say that as a result of conversations between His Majesty's Ambassador and the French Government the latter have ordered the Colonial authorities in French Guiana to stop proceedings against the officers of the "Edith Cavell." As regards the latter part of the question, the French Government have promised to furnish a report upon the case, and my hon. Friend will appreciate that I must await its receipt before arriving at any decision in the matter.
§ Mr. PETOWill the hon. Gentleman have representations made to the French Government which will make the recurrence of such incidents impossible?
Mr. SAMUELOf course the French Government will see the discussions which have taken place in the House on this matter.